Staff

Pastor Scott Cady
Scott Cady was raised in the Congregational Church in Western Massachusetts.  He became a Lutheran during his undergraduate work at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst through the Lutheran Campus Ministry there.  After graduating from the Hamma School of Theology in Ohio, Pastor Cady worked for nine years in various aspects of the Mental Health field.  He was ordained in 1984 and served the first 21 years of his ministry in Cornwall, CT at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Pastor Cady came to Emanuel in July of 2006.

In 1993, Pastor Cady earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Hartford Seminary.  He is past president of LERN (Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives Network) and is the Chair of the New England Synod Ecumenical Strategy Task Force. He has published two books with his Episcopal colleague the Rev. Christopher Webber: Lutherans and Episcopalians Together – A Guide to Understanding, and A Year with American Saints – a compilation of 365 daily readings on interesting and influential American Christians.  He is married to Amy and has two grown daughters, Liz and Maggie.  He loves to kayak a quiet lake at sunrise.

Executive Director: Philip Grover

Minister of Programs: Cindy Hall
Cindy joined the staff of Emanuel in May 1987 serving as part-time Youth Ministry and Christian Education Director.   As an Associate in Ministry, her work has focused on youth and families.  Last year, Cindy was named the Minister of Programs overseeing all of Emanuel’s Commissions.  Cindy  received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut.  She was baptized, confirmed and married at Emanuel.  She and her husband Randy live in Coventry and have two young adult children Crystal and Curtis.

Assistant Minister of Music: Kate Sekula
Kate Sekula is a native of Killingworth, Connecticut and has served at Emanuel since 2005.  She holds Bachelors degrees in Music Education and Flute Performance from Lebanon Valley College and a Masters of Music in Flute Performance from George Mason University.  She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Music History and Theory at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.  Kate is instructor of flute, piano and theory at Workmann Studios, Manchester, CT.

Director of Family Ministries: Tara Arner
Tara as been on staff since April 2006. She is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University with both a B.A. and M.A. in Education. Tara taught for 8 years at Elmer Thienes Elementary in Marlborough, CT.  As a member of the staff, her duties include; coordinating Faith Trek and Little Lutheran Landing, writing the monthly newsletters for these programs, directing the Vacation Bible School Program, coordinating the Advent workshop and Early Communion workshop. On a personal note, she was married at Emanuel on April 18, 1998 and baptized both of her children here. 

Administrative Assistant for Finance/Membership: Nancy Whiton
A life-long member of Emanuel, Nancy has worked in the church office as the Administrative Assistant since November of 2003.  She has recently taken over primary responsibility for managing membership and financial records.  She enjoys working with such a talented staff.  She feels blessed to be able to use her gifts and serve her church community in her position.

Secretary: Anne Heinrich
Resident of Manchester for 10 years and member of Emanuel for three, Anne is returning to work after staying at home with her two sons for the last eight years.  Anne has a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Keene State College and has worked as a Graphic Designer as well as an Office Manager and Bookeeper for both for profit and non-profit agencies. Anne enjoys spending time with her family. She is active with volunteering at her children's elementary school and an active member of the Manchester Community.

Co-Treasurer: Donald Anderson
Don has been a member of Emanuel since August 1955, when his father, Rev. C. Henry Anderson (1955-1976, emeritus, upon retirement) became Pastor of Emanuel.  Don became Emanuel’s Financial Secretary in 1972, and moved to the Treasurer’s position in 1993.  He has served on the New England Synod’s Finance Committee since 2004.  Don currently lives on Cape Cod with his wife, Pat, and shares the Treasurer’s duties with Jim Hamilton, aided by a heavy dose of electronic communication.

Co-Treasurer: James Hamilton
Jim and his wife Sharon have been members of Emanuel since 1967 when they moved to Manchester.  Jim has partnered with Don Anderson as Co- Treasurer since 2001, much of their work being done via electronic communication since Don moved to the Cape.  He retired in 2006 after a long career in insurance and has enjoyed the more leisurely pace and time to try new things.

Parish Nurse: Lynne Gustafson
Prior to her retirement, Lynne Gustafson RN had been Coordinator of School Health Services for the Manchester School System for 31 years. During those years she held several leadership positions; first as President of the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut and then as President of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). In 1999 she was elected a Fellow in NASN.  Through these positions she realized that she enjoyed creating new programs. When Emanuel decided to start a Parish Nurse program she decided that this was an excellent challenge and opportunity for her to blend her nursing skills with her spirituality.  In 2004 she completed the Parish Nurse program developed by St Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Through the Parish Nurse program, Emanuel offers parishioners a wide range of health and advocacy programs.

Custodian: Kathy Hatch

Nursery Care Giver: Monica Swanson
Monica Swanson of Coventry,CT started working with the Emanuel Moms Faith Group as a childcare provider in 2004.  In 2005, she became a consistent face in the church nursery on Sundays, expanding the coverage.  In 2006, she and her husband Brian, became members of Emanuel.  Monica is the mother of two young daughters and on the staff of Mount Hope Montessori School, in Mansfield Center, CT.  Monica is current with her First Aid and CPR certifications, and has volunteered as a Vacation Bible School crew leader.  She worked as a professional nanny during her studies at the University of Connecticut, where she also took Developmental Psychology as a part of her Psychology degree, and was a member of the national Psi Chi and Mortar Board honor societies.  She also attends continuing education throughout the year on topics such as positive discipline, fine motor skills development, and nutrition, for young children. She brings a passion for creative play, artistic expression, and literacy to the smallest church members.

Lay Staff: Sylvia Hellstrom
After retiring from teaching, Sylvia wanted to volunteer at church. She coordinates the Visitor volunteers and the office volunteers. Serving as a Eucharistic minister and hospital visitor are also very rewarding. Sylvia assists in adult education and other areas, as needed.

Lay Staff: Jack Soares
In l997 Jack retired as District Manager from the Connecticut Department of Social Services and was promptly invited to join the staff as a lay coordinator. Since then Jack has provided support for the staff and/or congregation as coordinator for both the M.A.C.C. Samaritan Homeless Shelter and Thriven Financial for Lutherans.  He also regularly serves as a Eucharistic minister, office volunteer, and for whatever other tasks come along.